The Philharmonic Society had its first concert on Monday evening.
This is the Society's forty-seventh season ; and every lover of the musi- cal art will be glad to learn that a body whose services to the cause of the art have been preeminent for almost half a century, is in a stale of health and vigour. The subscription is greater than it has been for a good many years ; and the concert of Monday, with the crowded room, fall of distinguished musicians and amateurs, argue& an. active and suc- cessful management. Theconcert was of the usual kind ; distinguished} not for novelty but for excellence. Every piece was a chef d'oeuvre : the symphonies were by Hadyn and Beethoven ; the overtures by Weber and Mozart ; and the vocal pieces (sung by Madame Bishop and Belletti) by Mendleesohn, Mozart, and Rossini. The only novelty was a MS. violin concerto, composed and played by Joachim, the greatest violinist living. The orchestra, under the able direction of Dr. Steradale Ben- nett, displayed its unrivalled excellence ; and the audience warmly ex- pressed the pleasure they derived from an entertainment which could not have been excelled in any city in Europe.
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